Senator Robin Padilla on Monday voiced his strong objection to what he called false reports circulating about him, following allegations that he made an offensive gesture during a flag ceremony inside the Senate.
Padilla addressed the matter directly on the Senate floor, expressing confusion and frustration over a recent media report claiming he raised his middle finger during the playing of Lupang Hinirang.
“Ito po ay [tungkol sa] middle finger po. Habang tayo raw po ay nagsasagawa ng Lupang Hinirang, nagfa-flag-ceremony, ako daw po ang nag-ngatngat. At ito po ay naging malaking isyu,” Padilla said.
The senator said he was surprised that, unlike past incidents in which the Senate promptly issued clarifications, no one came forward to explain that he did not commit the act. He questioned the motives behind the allegation, saying it touches on his religious beliefs.
“Hinihingi ko po ‘wag pong religion ko mahal na taga-pangulo. Dahil ito po’y malaking kabastusan sa amin,” the Senator proclaimed in his statement.
“Sana po ‘wag pong gamitin ito para siraan ako. Dahil sinasabi ko po mahal na taga-pangulo kung gusto nyo ‘kong magresign, ngayon na kung gusto ninyo, ‘wag nyo akong siraan,” Padilla added.
Senate President (SP) Vicente “Tito” Sotto III responded, urging caution and clarification. He explained that images circulated in the media may have been misinterpreted and that the gesture in question could be part of a religious practice related to paying respect during the flag ceremony.
“Tama po kayo ngunit ang inyo pong lingkod bilang pangulo, ang sinabi ko sa kanila tignan muna nila ‘yong mga litrato, sapagkat nagpakita ng ibang litrato na kayo ay ang hintuturo ang nakataas at may eksplanasyon na ito ay isang religious practice kapag kayo ay nagsasampalataya sa bandila,” SP Sotto said in response.
Padilla called for a formal investigation and statement from the Senate to set the record straight. “Mainam po sana maglabas din ng pormal na imbestigasyon at pormal na pahayag ang senado patungkol po dito. Kasi ginoong pangulo ‘yong lumabas po na ano [litrato] meron pang parang dinoktor pa eh,” he said.
Sotto assured Padilla that the Senate acknowledges the mistake. “Ako na po mismo bilang Senate President ang nagsasabi na hindi nyo po ginawa ‘yan. At tama ‘yong nag-apologize sila sapagkat mali ang pinakita nila. Patawarin nyo na sila,” he said.
In response, news outlet Rappler has issued an online apoligy addressed to Sen. Robin Paddila and the Muslim community, stating that they take accountability for unclear communication in their newsroom regarding the source of Padilla's alleged vulgar gesture.
Meanwhile, Senator Juan Miguel 'Migz' Zubiri moved that Padilla’s concern be referred to the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media for further review and action, noting that Padilla himself serves as the committee’s chairman.
